Refrigeration system



Jan. 16, 1934. G. E. HULSE 4 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Filed Sept; 20, 1930 i E t g INVENTOR ATTORNEYS mucu 16.1934 I v 1,943.964

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM George E. Hulse, New Haven, Coma, assignor to The Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 20, 1930 Serial No. 483,196

(o1. err-4) This invention relates to refrigeration systems. the shaft 12 is a speed reducing device 13 and One of the objects of this invention is to proan automatic clutch 14 preferably of the cenvide a simple refrigeration system which will be trifugal type. The apparatus generally indicatpracticaland efilcient in use. Another object of ed by the numeral 15 consists of a refrigeration I this invention is to provide a refrigeration sysunit of the usual compression-expansion type tem of easy manufacture and durable construcwith refrigerating coils 16 leading into the chamtlon. Another object of this invention is to pro- .ber 17 whose temperature is to be regulated. vide a refrigeration system which will be efli- An electric starting motor 18 is connected to cient and lasting in operation. Another object the driving shaft of the engine 10 by any con- 10 of this invention is to provide a refrigeration sysvenient means 19 such as pinions or a belt. A

tem having means of regulating its prime mover. source of current 20 which may consist of stor- Another object is to provide a device of the above age battery, a generator or both, according to nature which will-require a minimum amount the specific conditions under which this system of attention in operation and may be operated by is to be employed, has one terminal connected 15. labor unskilled in the art. Another object in this directly to starting motor through a line 21. The invention is to provide a refrigeration system opposite terminal of thissource of current 201s which may operate efliciently with the'number connected to a solenoid 22. of actuations of its parts reduced to a minimum. A double contact thermostatic switch 23 is 10- Another object of this invention is to provide a 'cated in the interior ofthe chamber 1'7. One 20 refrigeration system in which the start means of the contacts 26 in the thermostatic switch 23 is for the prime mover is oil rugged character and grounded; the other contact 24 is connected to the dependable action. Other objects will be in part solenoid 22 through the line 24a. A line 25 exobvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. tending from the thermostatic switch 23 runs to This invention accordingly consists in the ieathe line 21 and thus to the motor. 25 tures of construction, combination of elements, It he seen that when the thermostatic and arrangement oi parts as will he exemplified switch 23% is actuated by a change in temperature in the structure to he hereinafter described, and in the chamber 17 and maltes contact with 2d, as the scope of the application of which will he in occur when the temperature in this chamber chea ed in the following claims. is shove thut preferred, the solenoid 22 will he 3W lhe druvvinu in which is shown one oi the energized through circuits 21, 2%, Qt, 24c and 22a.

various possihle embodiments of this invention is This solenoid 22 terms e, p of an automatic e diegratle plan. i switch and upon enere'inetlon an arm 2'? ol its Snnilcr reierencesund character refer to sfniicore 2t will she contact with points 29 and 29a. lur ports throughout the several views of the its shown in the drawing the automatic switch so tl 'o d- I l is closed in its normal position when the motor W lls conducive to a. clearer understanding of it is at rest melting contuct with two terminals sonic oi the 'i'eetui'es of this invention, it may 31 and 32. it will he seen that You this simple at this point he convenient to note thct in relrigtolistlllfi When lihtlmmmllifi sll'ilicl'l 23 oration systems of the shove character in which maltes contact at Ed in the shove described mentll an internal comhustion engine as a prime mover nor eutometlcullv ine wi h 7, t i i 9 is uutolnntlcally started considerable dlfficulty has from the source oi curre to liht mfilfll'it' tilled" heen enperienced in providing menus for simuh fished, consisting of tilt 11MB 2% will tnnccus v choking the some. is well lrnown, 2th endl. I on enuine of this type stsrts with much, ro ses pressurenesponsive meznher is connected cute ll it is choked end this is especinlly true in throud d tulldillll; 535) the mdm'mm cold wcuther. Manuel thee-he for she l the h m This n c 35 mdmg @m-ltfict with oi this type hove heen utternpted due this m d dd st o poi nretc v hotne ditch results in it greet deed of inconven nee. ii i der wild the throttle. should he underl lds invention aims to provide e. practice-l device stood, however, then this conduit llltlW h 11- W in which the shove noted dlidculties ure nested t other c s t cos ne Where vo sh to c lninimuin. pressure is avullahle with many udventugeous re- Referring now to the a i i w suits. This pressure-responsive member-3t is of is shown a refrigeration system consisting r such a. construction that it will reudilv respond to on internal combustion engine it driving a cornsmall changes of pressure, thus contracting and pressor ll be moons of e mutt l2. decurcd to ocean according to these relative pressures till and being fully expanded at atmospheric pressures. At the opposite end of this pressure-responsive member 34 is an arm 37 comprising a switch 30 for line 25 as described above. When the engine 10 is at rest so that normal atmospheric pressure is acting on the pressure-responsive member 34, this switch 30 will be closed but upon a suflicient reduction in pressure, this member 34 will contract, opening the switch 30.

An air choking element 38 disposed on the intake manifold 36 of the engine 10 is secured to leaverage system 39 diagrammatically shown in the drawing. This leaverage system 39 is also secured at 40 to the pressure-responsive member 34 and the choking element 38 and is so adjusted with respect to the member 34 that when this member is fully expanded by normal atmospheric pressure, the choking element 38 is closed. However, when this pressure-responsive member 34 contracts due to a decrease of premure the choking element 38 is automatically opened by means 01' the leaverage system 39. It will be seen that this device is of extremely simple construction and well adapted to withstand the wear and tear of constant operation with a minimum amount of attention. Furthermore this apparatus is admirably suited for use as an automatic choking means on all types of internal combustion engines whether or not their motors are used in refrigeration systems, although the above combination is considered most advantageous.

Considering now the action of this apparatus, let it be assumed that the temperature in the chamber 17 has risen above that preferred for cooling purposes. Under the above set forth conditions the thermostatic switch 23 will make contact at 24. Thus the solenoid 22 will be en-,

erglzed by the circuits 21, 25, 32, 30, 23, 24 and 24a and 22a. Upon energlzation of the solenoid 22 the switch 27 will be automatically closed, connecting the contacts 29 and 290. It is assumed that the engine 10 is at rest and under these conditions as above set forth the switch 30 will be closed.

It will be seen that upon closing the switch 2'1 a circuit between the source of current 20 and the starting motor 18 is accomplished. This circuit consists of the line 21 and 22a, 29, 27, 29a and 29b. The motor 18 being actuated, the en-v gine 10 is started. It should be noted at this point that'the pressure-responsive member being in its normal position, the choke 38 is automatically closed for normal atmospheric pressure is acting upon it, thus facilitating the starting of the engine. As the engine 10 starts, a partial vacuum is created in the manifold 36 and thus in the pressure-responsive member 34 by means of conduit 35. This decrease in pressure will cause this member 34 to contract and upon the contracting of this member 34, the switch 30 will open, thus breaking the circuit between the solenoid 22 and the source of current 20. Upon the deenergization of this solenoid 22, the switch 27 automatically opens thus breaking the circuit between the source of current 20 and the starting motor 18. It will be noted that simultaneously with the above described action the contraction of the pressure-responsive member 34 also actu ates the choking element 38, causing it to open to stop further choking action.

The starting motor 18 having stopped and the choking action having ceased, the engine 10 will attain its normal speed and the centrifugal clutch 14 will be actuated, thus driving the compressor 11. The compressor 11 and the refrigeration apparatus generally indicated at 15 will cause refrigeration in the chamber 17 by means of the coil 16. In this manner the chamber 17 is cooled to a point below the preferred temperature, and when this temperature is reached, thermostatic switch 23 will be actuated to make contact at 26.

It will be noted that by the provision of a double contact thermostatic switch the refrigeration apparatus will cool the chamber below the preferred temperature before arm 23 is sumciently actuated to meet point 26 and stop this apparatus. Thus the temperature will stay below or at the preferred temperature for a relatively longer length of time thus reducing the number of times which the apparatus must be started. This reduces the wear and tear of parts greatly and economizes on fuel for the engine and curent for the starting motor. The arm of the thermostatic switch 23 is connected to the magneto 41 of the engine 10, this magneto 41 serving as a source of current for the ignition system of the engine. Upon making contact 26 the thermostatic switch automatically grounds the magneto 41, thus stopping the engine it. The engine being stopped, the parts return to normal condition and the pressure-responsive member 34 expands to close the switch so.

It will thus be seen that an automatic refrigeration system of simple design and construction has been constructed in which the starting and stopping means of the prime mover in such a system is automatically controlled, and adjusted. It should be noted that the controlling means for this system is of such simple construction that little labor will be necessary to insure reliable operation. Refrigeration systems of the above nature are often subjected to rough use and unskilled care. This is especially true when they are used on railroad cars, trucks and other vehicles. Under such conditions these systems are required to work for a considerable length of time under variable conditions with little care, and it is absolutely essential that they be reliable in operation. The simple construction of this system and particularly the pressure-responsive member 34 makes it admirably suited for such conditions. The provision for an automatically adjusted choke for the internal combustion engine of such a system makes for increased emciency, saves on fuel, and reduces the strain on the source of current by insuring a quick start.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes may be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understoodthat all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In refrigeration apparatus. in combination, means adapted to contain a medium whose temperature is to be governed, a refrigerating unit for said means, motive means adapted to actuate an element of said unit, a starting member for said motive means, thermostatic means positioned in the circuit of a source of current and said starting member for controlling the actuation of said member, and means disposed in said circuit adapted to be actuated by variation of pressure from said motive means for regulating the actuation of said member.

2. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means adapted to contain a medium whose temperature is to be governed, a refrigeration unit Ior said means, an internal combustion engine nogaooe adapted to actuate an element of said unit, a motor for starting said engine, a circuit of current for said motor, a thermostatic switch en-' closed in said containing means and disposed in said circuit for controlling the actuation of said motor, a second switch in said circuit,'and a member adapted to ac uat'e said second switch by variation of pressure from said engine for regulating the actuation of said motor.

3. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means for containing a medium whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for the regulation of said temperature, an internal combustion engine in said unit, a member actuated by relative pressure from said engine, a starting motor for said engine, a thermostatic switch in said containing means for controlling a circuit to said motor, means for controlling the volume of air intake of said engine actuated by said member, a switch in' said starting motor circuit positioned to be actuated by said member, and means connected to the intake pipe of said engine actua' ed byrelative pressure in said pipe for controlling said switch and regulating said air controlling means.

4. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, enclosing means for a medium whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said enclosing means,.an internal combustion engine means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive v certain parts of said refrigeration unit, an electric motor for starting said engine, a magneto forming a part of said engine, a source of current, a circuit between said source of current and said starting motor, and a thermostatic switch responsive to the temperature of said space in said circuit, said switch being connected with said magneto and having a contact grounded whereby when the temperature of said space is above that preferred said switch closes said circuit and when the temperature of said space is at or below that preferred said switch grounds said magneto.

6. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion'engine adap'ed to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, an electric motor for starting said engine, a magneto forming a part of said engine, a source of current, a circuit between said source of current andsaid starting motor, and switching means in said circuit including a contact, a thermostatic switch arm responsive to the temperature of said space and adapted to engage saidcontact when the temperature thereof is above that preferred, and a second contact grounded, said switch arm also being connected with said magneto and adap'ed to engage said last-mentioned contact when the temperature of said space is at or below that preferred.

7. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulaied, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, starting means for said engine, means for controlling the air intake of said engine, means responsive to the temperature of saidspace for controlling the action of said starting means, and means responsive to pressure variation in said engine for regulating the action of-said first-mentioned con-' trolling means and modifying the action of said temperature-responsive means.

8. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted'to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, electric starting means for said engine, a'source of cured to control the operation of said last-mentioned means and said second switch.

9. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space,

an internal combustion engine adapted to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, electric starting means for said engine, a source of current, a circuit between said starting means and said source of current, a thermostatic switch in said circuit responsive to the temperature of said space, a second switch in said circuit, said circuit being incomplete until both of said switches are closed, a valve for controlling the intake manifold of said engine, and pressureresponsive apparatus connected to the manifold of said engine and adapted to actuate said and said second switch.

10. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion englneoldapted to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit,

valve means for starting and stopping said engine,

controlling means responsive to the temperature of said space, and controlling means responsive to pressure .varlation in said engine, both of said controlling means adapted to coact to control the action of said starting and stopping means.

11. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, starting means for said engine, controlling means responsive to the temperature of said space, controlling means responsive to pressure varlation'in said engine, said last-mentioned controlling means adapted to coact with said first-mentioned controlling means to place said starting means in operative condition when the temperature of said spaceis above that preferred and adapted to stop said starting means when said engine has reached its normal speed of operation. 12. -In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive certain parts of said refrigeration unit, electrical starting means for said engine, a source of current, a circuit between said source of current and said startingmeanaathermostatic switch in said circuit and responsive to the temperature of said space, a second switch in said circuit, said circuit being incomplete until both of said switches are closed, and means ior controlling the opening and closing of said second switch in response to pressure variation in said engine.

13. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive certain parts 0! said refrigeration unit, electrical starting means for said engine, a source of current, a circuit between said source of current and said starting means, a thermostatic switch in said circuit and responsive to the temperature of said space, a second switch in said circuit, said circuit being incomplete until both of said switches are closed, and means for controlling the opening and closing of said second switch in'response to the operative condition of said engine.

14.121 refrigeration apparatus, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive an element of said refrigeration unit, starting means for said engine including a valve controlling the flow of air through the intake manifold of said engine, means responsive to the temperature of said space for controlling the operation of said starting means, and means responsive to pressure in said engine for regulating said starting means.

15. In refrigeration apparatus, in combina tion, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine adapted to drive an element of said refrigeration unit, the operation of said unit being dependent upon the operation of said engine, starting means including a motor for turning over said engine and a valve for controlling the flow of air through the intake manifold of said engine, means responsive to the temperature of said space for controlling the operation 01 said motor, and means responsive to pressure in said engine for controlling said valve.

GEORGE E. HULSE. 

